Ridiculous Reasons to See the Nurse

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So, we really need a place to log the ridiculous reasons some kids have to get out of class and come see the nurse. You know, those pressing medical problems like, "my lips hurt." I had that one today.

Earlier this year I had a student come see me because she had a hair on her tongue!!

Somewhere there is a teacher giving these kids a clinic pass for these visits!

What are the crazy reasons to see the nurse at your clinic??

I am having a huge problem with this as well, particularly at one of my schools. From what I understand (as I am not there every day and do not attend staff meetings there since this is not my home school) the principals have instructed the teachers to send kids to my office when I am there no matter how minor the complaint as liability coverage. When I am not there I hear that the kids are allowed to come to the office and their parents are told, "I am sorry, we do not have a nurse today, you have to come pick up." So basically, I am being used as the "pass the buck" person at this school.

I am perturbed about it. After all, I spend a reasonable amount of time educating the teachers and admin about emergency situations and legit reasons to see the nurse. It's like all common sense has completely gone out the window.

For example: I overheard a teacher talking with a secretary about how she thought a child in her class who had "vomited" was faking. Then she said, "Oh she's fine, but that's not my call. That's the nurse's job." :bored:

I was feeling this way for a while (I still do to a certain extent). I had to assess every single little bump in the beginning of the school year. A book fell on my hand. I got bumped by another student. I tripped. The list went on and on some staff members felt it was my responsibility to assess every little issue (since my eyes work magic). That way if a parent complained that Johnny stubbed his toe, the parent could be assured that the magic nurse had declared it fine (even without an x-ray machine, blood culture lab, etc).

I started sending home a lot of notes (a form letter with check off symptoms and care given) as a way to help with the "cya" aspect of things. I don't send them home for everything but if a kid has a mark, I've sent home a note suggesting a visit to the doctor if the child continues to complain.

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I had a child come to the clinic and said, "I can't see very well. Everything is blurry." I had him take his glasses off, cleaned them for him (filthy), and when he put them back on he said, "I can see again?" I exclaimed, "I'm a miracle worker!" :yes:

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Same here. Teacher sends kid down for a vision check because he can not see the board. Kid says Mom is making an appointment for him to see the eye dr. I washed his grimy glasses. Kid, teacher and mom are all happy campers. I used the same phrase…

It's a miracle! :)

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Although this was a legitimate reason to see the nurse, it still makes me laugh. I had a boy in kindergarten who pulled his jacket up over his head and zipped it. He got his top lip stuck in the zipper. The principal came in to help me. While he was cutting the jacket off his lip finally slipped out. No bleeding, just swelling.

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Student: I was eating pretzels and now my throat is dry.

Me: uh, did you drink water?

Student: No.

Me: Why don't you try that first and then see how you feel.

Seriously????

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I feel like sending out a note to the teachers.

Dear Teachers,

Please note that the following issues are not "nurse worthy" nor do they have anything to do with my medical training. Please refrain from sending the following issues for me to "fix."

Dog poop on shoes: Put the shoes in a plastic bag and send them home. Coach has extra sneakers.

Broken zipper: I am not a tailor. "Zipper Repair 101" was not part of Nursing School.

Glasses snapped in half: I am not an optician. Best I can do is some duct tape and we all know how much the student will appreciate that,

Tired student sent down to sleep: Sorry, I have only 2 cots and a number of kids who are legit sick who need to lie down while they wait for a parent. The student can suck it up. We are all tired.

Dry scalp/dandruff: This is not a hair salon.

Tightly knotted shoelace: REALLY?? I'll get right to that between the puke and the bloody nose.

I know there is more but I am too fried to even think....:sarcastic:

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Specializes in School Nursing.

The staff and students are driving me crazy with spring fever. Thank godness its Friday.

Im seeing kids for total non-issue nursing problems.

:blink: :roflmao:

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Specializes in Pedi.

Just had not one but TWO kiddos sent to me because they were tired...at 3 pm. We dismiss at 3:20. Come on! TGIF!

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I just had to remove a tight zip tie from a finger. Because only an RN can do that!! I guess if I was not on campus, they would have just called 911 because that is so highly skilled of a medical procedure.

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PK student: my sister bit my tongue yesterday

Not sure what I can do about that one

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I just had to remove a tight zip tie from a finger. Because only an RN can do that!! I guess if I was not on campus, they would have just called 911 because that is so highly skilled of a medical procedure.

This one I can kind of understand - especially if that gets so tight you can't get scissors underneath. In my clinic we have the ringcutter, which is a little easier to get under a tight zip tie.

ETA:

Oh yeah, and today's already got a winner: "I bumped my head on my iPad yesterday at home." Really kid?

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I need to get a ring cutter. I was thinking about hat the other day.

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